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Huron-Kinloss council has agreed to spend $18,000 on a bridge
inspections and needs assessment through B.M. Ross and Associates.
Originally, a study was planned for next year, but council decided
at the meeting Monday night (July 20), to advance it one year. There
are also concerns about the high cost of replacing the Purple Grove
bridge and the consideration of closing that road rather than
replace the bridge.
In a report earlier this month, public works director Hugh Nichol
said that based on the 2003 bridge needs study, there are 92
structures defined as a bridge, and based on a life expectancy of
80-100 years, it is reasonable that the township should, on average,
expect to replace one of its 92 structures every year. A 2007
updated needs assessment noted that the Sideroad 25 bridge had been
replaced, but the Purple Grove bridge and the Baseline bridge
continue to deteriorate.
Therefore, Nichol recommended council proceed with design drawings
for a proposed replacement of the Purple Grove structure in 2010 and
not consider road closures as the answer to the bridge replacement
program. "Bridge and road closures trigger an Environmental
Assessment process to evaluate the social, cultural and natural
impacts of the closure," said Nichol, adding that the EA process
would cost up to $20,000.
"The Purple Grove bridge is located on a year-round maintained road,
is used as a bus route, and provides access to a community hall and
local resident," said Nichol. "We have previously committed to using
gas tax money for bridge replacements, so there is no direct cost to
the township taxpayers for the project. The first phase of the
program provided $505,620.29 and we have been guaranteed an
additional $801,605.60 up to 2014 by the federal government for
future bridge replacements."
(next column)
23/07/2009 09:54 PM
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He said the municipal engineers have explored alternative structures
such as culverts, and alternative repairs such as culvert lining, and
concluded that neither is appropriate at this particular location.
Councillor Anne Eadie said council has to consider the $400,000 cost of
replacing the Purple Grove bridge on a sideroad with only one farm on
it. "Right now we have money raining down upon us but we have to think
of the best use of that money for bridges," she said. "We need some
common sense. We can't spend taxpayers' money foolishly. We have to look
at the cost."
"There has to be a cheaper way to do the bridge," said councillor Don
Murray. "Farmers can't use it now (because of load limits). What happens
if we spend $400,000 on that bridge and then a main bridge goes out and
you're looking at $1 million to replace it?"
"We should do an inventory of our bridges and decide what we're going to
do," said councillor Jim Hanna.
"I disagree with the letter from B.M. Ross," said Murray.
"Could we repair the Purple Grove bridge and get another 20 years out of
it?" asked Eadie.
"That's not an option now," said Hanna. "It's pretty much done. The
foundation is part of the problem. We'll have to wait for the full
report and then decide."
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